Skip to content

Biarritz

Explore Biarritz

Hotels (10)
Restaurants (10)
Spa (1)

Where to Stay

Verified
2 Michelin Keys· Forbes Five-Star · Verified

Napoleon III's former summer residence for Empress Eugénie, rebuilt in an 'E' shape and now the Atlantic coast's sole French palace, anchors Biarritz with Second Empire opulence restored by in-house artisans. A heated saltwater pool cantilevers over the ocean beside private cabanas, while the 26,900-square-foot Spa Impérial layers Guerlain treatments across four floors. La Rotonde's 180-degree bay views frame haute French cuisine with Basque accents, including tableside-flambéed crêpe Suzy, in what Alain Ducasse calls the world's most beautiful dining room.

Verified
1 Michelin Key · Verified

This 1930s Art Deco mansion channels Hamptons surf-lodge ease with its 25 rooms dressed in teak, linen, and boards mounted above beds. Overlooking Lake Hossegor, chef Philippe Moreno—trained under Gérald Passedat—delivers Michelin-recommended seafood on a panoramic terrace. The 450-square-metre spa ranks among the region's largest, while an infinity pool and proximity to Plage de la Gravière's legendary waves complete the Atlantic idyll.

Verified
Verified

A century-old peach-colored landmark on Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay, this Art Deco grande dame underwent a meticulous Patrick Ribes redesign that pairs original architectural bones with contemporary black, white, and metallic accents. The 1,000-square-metre Loreamar Spa—all marble pillars and brick arches—houses a seawater pool facing the Atlantic, while L'Océan restaurant holds a Michelin star under chef Christophe Grosjean. Suites open onto vast teak terraces; breakfast arrives in a rotunda laden with Basque charcuterie.

4. Brindos, Lac & Château

1 Michelin Key· Relais & Châteaux

This 1930s Hispano-Moorish château commands the shores of one of France's largest private lakes, five minutes from Biarritz. Electric boats ferry guests to ten floating lodges with private terraces, while the main house offers canopied rooms overlooking water or gardens. Brindos Spa by Gemology delivers treatments inspired by precious stones, the restaurant champions Basque terroir with creative flair, and an elegant chocolaterie tempts gourmands between lake strolls.

5. Les Frères Ibarboure

1 Michelin Key

Five acres of parkland in the hills above Bidart surround this Basque country retreat, where thirteen rooms dressed in pale Alki wood open onto private loggias. Brothers Xabi and Patrice run the one-Michelin-starred kitchen, plating seasonal produce alongside herbs clipped from the adjacent garden. A heated outdoor pool anchors the grounds, while electric bikes and bamboo-fiber towels signal an eco-minded ethos throughout.

6. Hotel de Silhouette

The coat of arms of Etienne de Silhouette, Louis XV's finance minister, still marks the entrance to this 17th-century building steps from Grande Plage. Contemporary interiors pair tobacco brown, rust red, and terracotta tones with palm-motif wallpapers; higher floors offer ocean views. Restaurant Jardin champions Basque produce, while the secret garden hosts summer jazz evenings. Rotating art exhibitions fill public spaces, and the spa and rooftop terrace complete the urban retreat.

7. Le Garage Biarritz

Built as a private 1930s garage for Hôtel du Régina guests, this 27-room Experimental Group property above Marimar Beach fuses industrial bones with Art Deco curves, terrazzo floors, and handwoven Ghanian lights. The palm-lined pool garden—once home to gas pumps—draws locals for DJ sets and brunches, while the neo-bistrot serves regional and exotic plates on the patio. Ocean- and garden-view rooms feature terraces; surf and golf packages suit active travelers.

8. Le Château du Clair de Lune (Biarritz)

Poet Alan Seeger once declared this spot the most beautiful in Biarritz, and the Pyrenees vista from this 19th-century manor explains why. The property's enchanting park shelters a 200-year-old tree, while inside, two interconnecting family rooms and available cots make it a practical choice for multi-generational luxury travelers seeking both romantic architecture and flexible accommodation.

9. Radisson Blu Hotel, Biarritz (Biarritz)

The Radisson Blu sits mere steps from Côte des Basques, Biarritz's legendary surf break, placing wave-watchers and beach-goers at the Atlantic's edge in minutes. While the building's exterior reads corporate, the fifth-floor rooftop delivers: a pool, bar, and restaurant command sweeping coastal views. Twin superior rooms accommodate families easily, with children under 12 staying complimentary when sharing existing beds, and interconnecting layouts available for larger groups.

10. Sofitel Biarritz le Miramar Thalassa Sea & Spa

Built on the site of the 1927 Miramar palace, this beachfront hotel channels the sleek lines of an ocean liner across 126 rooms and suites, each with private terrace and Atlantic views. The expansive 2,500 m² thalassotherapy center anchors the experience—seawater-fed outdoor pool, oriental hammam, heated indoor pool—drawing wellness-focused travelers to its professional spa treatments and striking coastal setting steps from Biarritz center.

Where to Eat

1. La Table d'Aurélien Largeau

★ Michelin

Aurélien Largeau's one-starred table near the ocean builds its repertoire around Atlantic fish and Breton shellfish, interwoven with wild seaweed and Basque traditions. Red mullet arrives cloaked in concentrated jus; lobster plays on contrasting textures; even dessert—pear laced with sea-fennel—carries a saline edge. The multi-course menu shifts with the tides, treating exceptional catches and humble sardines with equal precision, while Mathilde Fesneau steers the intimate dining room.

2. Les Frères Ibarboure

★ Michelin

Third-generation brothers Xabi and Patrice Ibarboure share kitchen duties at this one-Michelin-starred table near Biarritz, with Patrice bringing pastry expertise honed across Paris and New York—earning him the 2019 Meilleur Ouvrier de France title. Seasonal menus spotlight Basque treasures: Adour salmon, Kintoa black pork, Pyrenean lamb, and Ossau-Iraty cheese, finished with herbs and citrus from their own greenhouse gardens.

3. Moulin d'Alotz

★ Michelin

A 17th-century Basque watermill deep in a bucolic valley near Biarritz, Moulin d'Alotz showcases chef Fabrice Idiart's entirely vegetarian vision, honored with one Michelin star. The conservatory dining room opens onto verdant gardens year-round, while set menus built on plant-based preparations and aromatic spices reflect an ecological philosophy. A compelling detour for gastronomes seeking substance without convention.

4. Villa de l'Étang Blanc

★ Michelin

Surfer-chef David Sulpice runs this one-Michelin-star table overlooking a protected bird sanctuary, where guests dine with herons and egrets in view. His zero-waste kitchen channels Landes terroir with precision: line-caught fish from Capbreton's small boats, duck and asparagus from Darrigade farm, Pyrenean ewe's cheese. The wine list deftly pairs prestigious bottles with discoveries from small southwest growers.

5. La Rotonde

Michelin Selected

The gilded dining room of Hôtel du Palais, France's sole Atlantic palace, commands sweeping ocean views while delivering classic Gallic tradition with contemporary verve. Lunch offers terrace-worthy brasserie fare; evening service turns ambitious, showcasing Basque terroir—Banka trout, Ossau-Iraty—alongside caviar, lobster, and foie gras. Creative technique meets pedigree ingredients, and the crêpe Suzy, honouring chef Raymond Oliver, remains essential.

6. L'Impertinent

★ Michelin

German chef Fabian Feldmann brings a rebellious creativity to this one-starred table, drawing on stints at Pierre Gagnaire and L'Oasis to craft dishes that break convention without losing precision. The menu centers on fish from Capbreton market, treated to bold seasoning and unexpected techniques that border on the outlandish yet consistently deliver. The atmosphere matches the cooking—rock 'n' roll spirit meets gastronomic rigor in a dining room that rewards adventurous palates.

7. Frenchie Biarritz

Michelin Selected

Grégory Marchand channels his Parisian Frenchie acclaim into a chic brasserie perched above the bay, marrying Basque tradition with inventive flourishes. The menu delivers smoked aubergine glossed with yuzu and black garlic, meagre meunière paired with artichoke barigoule and tarragon hollandaise, and shellfish bisque tempered by vanilla. Dine beneath 1920s-inspired design or claim a terrace table overlooking the ocean.

8. Gaztelur

Michelin Selected

Dating from 1401, this antique-furnished manor commands a remarkable country setting near Biarritz. The kitchen draws from both sides of the Pyrenees, building menus around market produce and family recipes. Rice remains the signature ingredient, though fish and meat emerge equally impressive from the ember grill. A destination for travelers seeking authentic Basque gastronomy in historic surroundings.

9. Jean des Sables

Michelin Selected

A short drive south from Biarritz, Jean des Sables commands prime beachfront position on Hossegor's dune-lined coast. The dining room's polished concrete and pale palette create a minimalist frame for Atlantic panoramas, while a live lobster tank signals the kitchen's specialty. The concise menu delivers modern French cooking with precision, earning Michelin recognition for its focused approach.

10. L'Entre Deux

Michelin Selected

Chef Rémy Escale champions an ingredient-led philosophy at this trendy Biarritz bistro, crafting dishes that honor natural flavors with faultless technical precision. The tastefully decorated dining room provides an inviting backdrop for modern cuisine that weaves flavors together with quiet panache—earning Michelin Plate recognition for cooking that stays true to its raw materials. Ideal for discerning diners seeking refinement without formality.

What to Do

1. Spa Ec(h)o

Relais & Châteaux

Overlooking the gardens of Brindos Lac & Château, this 4,300-square-foot sanctuary channels Basque wellness traditions through Gemology treatments that fuse botanical extracts with natural trace elements. The light-filled space hosts yoga sessions on the lake and in a dedicated studio, while personalized coaching—available privately or in groups—rounds out an approach rooted in movement and mindful restoration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main beaches in Biarritz and how do they differ?

+

Grande Plage is the central strand, sheltered and family-friendly, backed by the casino and seafront hotels. Côte des Basques, south of the Rocher de la Vierge, faces open Atlantic swells and is the primary surf beach — steeper, with stronger currents. Miramar and Port Vieux are smaller coves suited to swimming rather than surfing.

Which neighbourhoods should visitors explore beyond the seafront?

+

Saint-Charles, on the hill behind Grande Plage, has quiet residential streets with Belle Époque villas and independent boutiques. Les Halles quarter around the covered market is the local food hub. The Port des Pêcheurs retains a village atmosphere with its cluster of fishermen's cottages and casual seafood spots.

When is the best season to visit Biarritz?

+

Late May through June offers warm weather and manageable crowds before French summer holidays begin in July. September brings consistent surf, fewer tourists, and reliably mild temperatures. August is peak season — beaches are packed and restaurant reservations essential. Winter attracts dedicated surfers chasing North Atlantic swells.